Cher criticises AI after discovering an artificial rendition of herself performing a Madonna song
Singer Cher is acknowledged as the pioneer in employing auto-tune on a track, but she remains hesitant to adopt "out of control" AI technology.
Cher has strongly criticised the use of AI in the entertainment industry, suggesting that it should be deemed unlawful.
The 77-year-old expressed her dismay upon hearing an AI-generated rendition of her performing a Madonna song.
“AI has no place,” Cher began when questioned about the swiftly advancing technology by AP.
“Someone created a version of me singing a Madonna track, and it was rather startling. They hadn’t quite captured it accurately.
“Furthermore, I’ve dedicated my entire life to being authentic, and now these individuals are going to take that away? They’ll handle my acting and singing?
“It’s just… it’s spiralling out of control.”
The star’s remarks come in the midst of ongoing use of AI by fans and creators to produce tracks featuring recognizable vocals of artists, both from the past and present, without obtaining proper consent.
In the film and TV industry, there is also a growing unease as screenwriters and actors voice concerns about the potential of AI displacing their roles without fair compensation.
Reports over the summer indicated that Google was in discussions with major music labels regarding the licensing of artists’ voices and melodies for AI-generated songs, with artists having the option to decline participation.
While some musicians have embraced the regulated use of AI, Cher remains steadfast in her belief that embracing it would be a misguided move.
“I’m telling you, if you’ve worked tirelessly to become somebody – and I’m not referring to the fame or wealth part – but as an artist, and then someone simply takes it from you, it feels like it should be unlawful,” she added.
The American artist isn’t fundamentally opposed to the incorporation of new technology in music; her most iconic track, “Believe,” is acknowledged as the pioneering use of auto-tune in 1998.
“When we used it, it wasn’t called [auto-tune], it was a pitch machine,” she noted.
She recalled a disagreement with her long-time producer, Mark Taylor, about the track when he introduced the new technology.
“It started, and it was like, ‘Oh my God, this is the best thing ever.’ And I thought, ‘You don’t even know it’s me. This is the best thing ever.’ And then we high-fived.”
Cher is currently promoting her new festive album, “Christmas,” released last Friday, along with a 25th-anniversary edition of her Grammy Award-winning album, “Believe,” set to be released next month.
